The Peculiar Bard

The Particle at the End of the Universe

Author: Sean Carroll

Early in 2025, I'd been having a chat with my friend, Pramudith, about how I wanted to do Particle and Nuclear Physics, going forward. He asked me if I wanted to read a book about the Higgs boson, and obviously, I said yes!
The next day, he brought me this exact copy, that is still in my possession in December of 2025.
(Pramudith, if you are reading this, thank you for letting me keep this book for so long! I just need a few more months, to PROPERLY enjoy this treasure, and I shall return it to you, safe and sound! I promise!)

Of course I am fascinated by a book, whose first chapter begins with the line 'In which we ask why a group of talented and dedicated people would devote their lives to the pursuit of things too small to be seen.'

This is a book I'd recommend to anyone, who is remotely interested in the World of Particles. The Hunt for the Higgs and the Discovery of a New World, written in such a creative, raw, heart-gripping, and reality-shattering way, is a testament to how great of a writer Sean Carroll is!

A Must Read!

~ 2^nd December, 2025

Introduction to Elementary Particles

(2^nd Revised Edition)

Author: David Griffiths

My first encouter with David Griffiths had been during the 3^rd year 1^st semester course 'Electromagnetic Fields 1' which had as its reference book, the 4^th edition of 'Introduction to Electrodynamics'.
It had been a book I'd enjoyed so thoroughly, that I, to this day, find myself an eternal fan of the great, magnificent, one-and-only David J. Griffiths!

I started reading 'Introduction to Elementary Particles' during my 4^th year 1^st semester course 'Nuclear and Particle Physics', and as expected, I enjoyed it thoroughly once again!

Of course, I'm not done reading the book (that's why it's in the 'Current Reads' section haha).

One of my goals in life is to one day meet David Griffiths. I hope in the future, I could be even half as great a textbook-writer as him!

A Must Read!

~ 2^nd December, 2025

Classical Electrodynamics

(3^rd Edition)

Author: John David Jackson

In my 4^th year 2^nd semester course 'Electromagnetic Fields 2', the reference book used is the infamous 'Classical Electrodynamics' by the also infamous John David Jackson himself. ⚠️
Proceed with care! ⚠️
The course plan is to cover the first 6 chapters of the book by February of 2026 (recites the Lord's Prayer over and over again!) 😂🤭

After reading Griffiths, I'd come up with this utter misconception that electrodynamics was an easy breeze!
How laughable, indeed.

Of course, the book is brilliant and intriguing,
and each sentence seems to both mock me and encourage me.

I've courageously picked up the gauntlet, and I refuse to let him win this battle!
CHALLENGE MOST DEFINITELY ACCEPTED!

Of course, studying this book so early, during the undergraduate degree, will be an advantage for when I take the course during my PhD, which I hope to commence in Fall of 2026.
But I shall proceed with care (I'm sure God will safeguard me from all evil!) 🤭

You will have to read this during the MSc or PhD. Good Luck!

~ 2^nd December, 2025


Update on 4^th April, 2026:

It's actually going pretty well. The course content covered the first 5 chapters, and I honestly did enjoy it (SUPRISING I KNOW!).

As a writer and reader, I still find the writing to be atrocious,
BUT, I find the problems in the book to be very stimulating (the silver lining).

So, all in all, I confess that the book is fine. 🤭

Still, good luck to those who will be pursuing it!